Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from Iraq that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. This briefing is brought to you by proud new papa Joel Gaines of No Pundit Intended and Andrew Olmsted of Andrew Olmsted dot com.
TOP TOPICS
- Insurgents killed 22 Iraqi police officers and soldiers in a night raid in Baghdad. With the elections in the bag, the insurgency may be turning its focus to Iraqi security forces with the hope of delegitimizing the new government before it can even take the reins.
- Terrorists kidnapped four Egyptian engineers in Baghdad, illustrating both their intent to continue the fight and their willingness to harm their coreligionists in a desperate attempt to further their cause.
Other Topics Today Include: democratic Iraq's first national hero; ordinary Iraqis take a stand; an Iraqi theocracy(?); winners of the Iraqi election; Carnival of the Liberated; antiwar talking points; a different Arab election.
REPORTS FROM THE FIELD
- If Iraq makes it through its current troubles to become a fully-functioning democracy, much credit will be due to the likes of Abdelamir Najem Kazem, an Iraqi policeman who tackled a suicide bomber before he could attack a line of voters. Kazem died in the explosion, but his actions prevented any further deaths and helped ensure the success of the elections.
- Smash discusses Iraqis taking responsibility for their own security, something Iraq has to have if it is to defeat the terrorists.
IRAQI POLITICS
- Omar at Iraq the Model examines the claims that Sistani is demanding the new Iraqi constitution has to incorporate Islamic law and finds them wanting.
- Who won Iraq's elections? Wretchard takes a look at several arguments.
- The first post-election Carnival of the Liberated is up at Dean's World.
THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
- Arthur Chrenkoff rounds up what appears to be the official antiwar line on the Iraqi elections. Readers may be shocked to learn it wasn't praise for the efforts.
- Omar examines how Iraq's real election is putting pressure on the more traditional Arab election model.
ETCETERA
- Donald Rumsfeld has many strengths. Absolute candor with the press isn't one of them. Is the Pentagon not putting out good information on Iraqi security because they don't have it, or because they're not willing to share it?
- The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops: American, Australian, British, Canadian & Polish. Anyone out there with more information, contact us!
- Don't forget Chief Wiggles' Toys for Iraq drive!
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"Insurgents killed 22 Iraqi police officers and soldiers in a night raid in Baghdad."
Or not. CentCom says it hasn't heard of it, and the officer quoted later said he `misread` a report.
More coming?